Dear Editor,
If a tree falls in the forest and GHK Lall didn’t hear it, did it make a sound? I ask in all sincerity for it would seem not. Irfaan Ali delivered the opening address at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s National Stakeholders Conference on Saturday, February 16; over 150 representatives of various civil society organisations were in attendance, but not Lall, as he represents no one. The video of the speech was widely viewed and distributed on social media, but Lall missed that too. Hence, we are treated to a missive about a ‘phantom candidate’. It will be on television stations soon, but no doubt this will also be missed by Lall.
Donald Rumsfeld famously stated “Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know”. I know that Lall knows nothing about ostriches from his letter where he observed that many Guyanese still like to bury their head in the sand in true ostrich like fashion; sadly, the myth of the ostrich burying their heads in sand has been debunked decades ago, except this fact is unknown to those who do not know enough to continuously seek knowledge. Using a long disproved ‘fact’ to insinuate that others are stupid may well be the epitome of stupidity!
Editor, Irfaan Ali is no unknown; he held three vital ministerial portfolios and delivered massive change and innovation during his six years as a Government Minister. Irfaan Ali has a body of work that can be examined; policy writings, speeches and accomplishments. Irfaan Ali is a known known. Over the coming days, there will be an election date set and an official campaign launched, no doubt Irfaan Ali will make speeches, one can only hope he does not promise US$4 billion airports to communities when he does. At that point, direct comparisons can and will be made with the incumbent, David Granger, who has had three press conferences in four years, not a phantom; more a shadow of a tin soldier.
Editor, older persons like GHK Lall mean well and like to impress with knowledge of geopolitics, but alas, seems not to know that CNOOC which owns 25 per cent of the Stabroek Block is controlled by the State of China when he ignorantly speaks of sharing our production with our neighbour to keep the peace, balderdash! In the absence of ability to keep himself current with people, places and things like ‘facts’, I would suggest that Lall take his fictional writing to the Chronicle and/or one of the seven publications that the directorate of public information puts out weekly. Uncle Eddies Fast Times perhaps?
Respectfully,
Robin Singh
